Save the Date - 2017 Straight Family Reunion

Save the Date!!!

Saturday, August 5, 2017 is the date of the 2017 Straight Family Reunion. In 2017 our reunion will be held in East Rochester, NY which is about 20 or so minutes northwest of our usual location.

Please watch for an email (if we do not have your email, you will receive a mailed invitation) with details and directions closer to the reunion date; I have not coordinated with our hosts Jenn and Shane yet, but I am guessing the invites will be send early to mid-June.

If you would like to be on the email list, send me a message via the contact form the the right; please let me know how you are related to John and Lydia Marie Culver Straight. If you don't know, let me know your parents and/or grandparents names. Warning - messages are infrequently checked.

I hope you will be able to attend the 2017 Straight Family Reunion.

I forgot to say - if you know of a USPS or email address change, please reach out to me by replying to the Save the Date email or via the contact form to the right. Thanks!

Reminder - Save the Date - 2016 Straight Family Reunion

I know many are used to receiving an email in early January with the date of the upcoming reunion. In case you missed the message at the end of July 2015, here is the date of the 2016 reunion:

Save the Date!!!

Saturday, August 6, 2016 is the date of the 2016 Straight Family Reunion. In 2016 it will be held in Brockport, NY about 45 minutes west of our usual location.

Please watch for an email (if we do not have your email, you will receive a mailed invitation) with details and directions.

If you would like to be on the email list, send me a message via the contact form the the right; please let me know how you are related to John and Lydia Marie Culver Straight. If you don't know, let me know your parents and/or grandparents names. Warning - messages are infrequently checked.

I have my auction (or raffle) item complete. Here is a preview of what you might find at the auction:

I hope you will be able to attend the 2016 Straight Family Reunion.

Tie-Die Fun

Despite the weather and other commitments keeping reunion attendance low, we did tie-die some shirts. There was some die leftover so I used it on a shirt and fabric today.


shirt front

shirt back

I did not get a photo of the fabric before dark.

I hope that more people will have a chance to attend reunion next year. We will tie-die again in 2016.

Save the Date - 2016 Straight Family Reunion

Save the Date!!!

 

Saturday, August 6, 2016 is the date of the 2016 Straight Family Reunion. In 2016 it will be held in Brockport, NY about 45 minutes west of our usual location.

2015 Family Reunion Activity - Tie Dye

Almost every reunion since we did tie dye I have heard how much people enjoyed it so we are going to do it again this year. Below are some supplies you will need to bring (some are optional), prep works you will want to do before reunion, links to some project ideas and what you will need to do when you get your projects home.

What you need to bring:

• 100% natural fiber fabric (cotton, rayon, wool, viscose, silk); white or light colored - items you can tie-die: shirts, scarfs, tote bags, etc. - I have successfully tie-dyed t-shirts that have had screen printing on them so pull out those free shirts you have received at events
• Plastic gloves (only if you have them, do not go out and make a special purchase as I will bring some with me)
• Rubber bands (only if you have them, do not go out and make a special purchase as I will bring some with me)
• Plastic wrap or plastic bags to cover your dyed fabric to keep it damp and to take it home in

Other things to keep in mind:

• Pre-wash the item(s) you want to tie-dye to remove the sizing (sizing is what makes it look nice/neat on store shelves), be sure you do not use fabric softener or a dryer sheet. Follow the information in Step 1 at Tulip Tie-Dye Basics before coming to the reunion. It discusses selecting and pre-washing your fabric. When you get home (6 to 8 hours after tie-dying your fabric) you will want to follow Step 5 (also posted below with a few comments).
• Feel free to bring more than one item to tie-dye because the die cannot be saved to be used later, but please let everyone tie-dye one item before you start working on your additional items
• Do not wear your favorite shirt/shorts to the family reunion just in case there is an accidental spill

Here are the techniques from the package insert:

Better images of the different techniques and videos can be found at Tulip Tie-Dye Your Summer Get Inspired. Feel free to pinch, gather, twist and bind your fabric (rubber bands, zip ties and even string will work to bind your fabric) before coming to the reunion. Then you can immediately get started adding color to your fabric.

The techniques you will find at the Get Inspired link:

• Bullseye
• Swirl/Spiral
• Ombre
• Crumple
• Folding
• Stripes
• Shibori
• Sunburst

This is the process for finishing your item when you get home:

Let set 6-8 hours or longer for most intense colors. Fully rinse dyed fabric in warm water until all extra dye is removed and water runs clear - removing rubber bands if used (to avoid accidentally coloring anything in your house you might want to do this outside with a garden hose in an area of your yard that is not used often; you may also want to wear protective gloves, though the dye should be inactive by then). Fill washer to large load setting with hottest water suitable for the fabric and a small amount of laundry soap. Wash and dry separately. Wash separately the first few washes. Do not allow dyed fabric to rest wet on other items.

Feel free to comment if you have any questions.

2015 Straight Family Reunion

Sorry for posting this so late. This information was sent on January 22 via email to everyone whose address we have.

The 2015 Straight Family Reunion will be on July 25 in the usual location in Farmington, NY.

The mailing with a map to the location will be sent in the next week or so. We hope you will be able to attend.

2013 Reunion - We have a date!

I just received the news from Donna and 2D that the park for the 2013 Straight Family Reunion has been booked:

"I just wanted you to know that the official date for the 2013 Straight Family reunion is Saturday, August 3rd !!!!

I can't wait to see everyone!!! Please pass the word!!   Happy New Year to all!!!

Love,

2D and Donna"

 Please pass along the news, this blog address, mark your calendars and plan to attend.